#THINGS TO DO NEAR TAMPA FLORIDA FULL#

Stop paying full price for tickets! Buy your Tampa CityPass HERE Museum of Science and Industryįor parents and kids who are science enthusiasts, MOSI is where you go to play in the city of Tampa. See these gorgeous creatures soar in unison overhead as they make their way through the park for a little treat when they are done. Two lucky kids may even be asked to participate in the show by pressing the release button. The daily Macaw flyover is a big hit at the zoo that kids will especially enjoy. When the kids need to cool off and get their pint-sized fun in, bring them over to Wallaroo for a splash, ride on the Tasmanian Tiger Coaster or Overland Express Train, or go to the petting zoo or see the Koalas. A few creatures you may spot include red wolves, Florida panthers, black bears, sandhill cranes, skunks, river otters, American alligators and American bald eagles.Īsian Gardens and Primate World is where you will find big cats like tigers and clouded leopards, as well as Komodo Dragons, Malayan tapirs, Indian rhinos, Bornean orangutans, Colobus monkeys and lemurs. Guests can see the manatees via viewing platforms and chat with the animal specialists to find out who is currently in their care.Īside from the local manatees, you can also meet more Native Florida wildlife on the Florida boardwalk, Key West Dock or during the Sting Ray Touch experience. Straz Jr. Manatee Critical Care Center rescues and rehabilitates manatees throughout the year that have been injured by boats and other harmful human interactions. Manatees are a huge part of Florida’s animal culture, which is why this Lowry Park zoo is so important. While most zoos focus on land creatures, ZooTampa has a secret behind its gates. It’s like this aquarium finally heard our prayers for a parent and kid-friendly play zone. Tables are set around the splash zone so parents can eat, and yes, mom and dad, there is a Tiki Hut with coffee and other adult beverages.

This is perfect for parents with toddlers not only can their kids can play outside, but the café is right next to it. But be warned, those little penguins do get cheeky and might not be willing to take the perfect selfie with you.įor tired parents, there is the Splash Pad, which is included in the price of admission. Inside the Aquarium, you can book a behind the scenes pass to meet a few of the resident African Penguins. Weather permitting, jump on a Wild Dolphin Cruise just outside of the Florida Aquarium to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat. You’ll love getting up close with sharks, sea dragons, stingrays, an octopus, jellyfish (my favorite), river otters and a whole lot of Dori and Nemo’s friends from Finding Nemo.

Grab a Tampa Bay CityPASS to save at Busch Gardens The Florida Aquariumĭive into the marine life of Florida’s beaches and beyond when you enter the Florida Aquarium. If you want to soar over it all, hop on the much more peaceful Skyride or take a ride on the Serengeti Safari to experience a Giraffe feeding at this amusement park. When you are skipping to the Falcon’s Fury (a 335-foot freestanding drop tower), you can say hello to the elephants. As you scream down the hill of Cobra’s Curse, one of the park’s many roller coasters, you will see giraffes calmly munching their lunch. If you love theme parks with a side of zoo, you will love Busch Gardens. I’d fly back to Tampa just to eat at this locally-inspired restaurant alone. If you don’t order the Charbroiled oysters (Barbacoa-grilled, with garlic butter, grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses) at Ulele, well, we just can’t be friends anymore. Seafood is a staple of the diet for many Tampa residents because of the city’s close proximity to the water. Finish your drink before you leave the Riverwalk, since the rest of the city is not zoned for open containers on the streets.

Just make sure that your beverage is in a Riverwalk cup. Moms will love that they can sip and stroll along this 2.6 mile pedestrian path in Tampa, Florida. You can also take a boat, but where’s the fun in that? We like to walk the river at sunset with the locals. You’ll find sculptures, restaurants, playgrounds, splash zones and gathering areas as you go. The cheapest thing to do in Tampa is to walk the Riverwalk that runs along the Hillsborough River. Just don’t forget to grab your Tampa Bay CityPASS, which will save you a ton of money on must-see downtown Tampa attractions. The warm coastal waters aren’t all there is to do in this thriving Florida city-walk, stroll, eat, and explore.

Things to do near tampa florida